Private railways company Traxtion reports that the first eight of 46 Wabtec C28 locomotives it is buying from KiwiRail in New Zealand for R1.8-billion arrived at the Port of Durban in early August.
The shipment is the first of four planned shipments over the next two years.
The eight locomotives are being transported to the Traxtion Rail Services Hub in Pretoria, where refurbishment and upgrades are scheduled for September before entering commercial service.
Traxtion has linked the procurement of locomotives, as well as the acquisition of 920 wagons for a further R1.6-billion, to South Africa's rail sector reforms aimed at increasing private sector participation in freight rail.
CEO James Holley says the transformation of South Africa's rail sector will require sustained investment in both rolling stock and infrastructure.
